If Luke and Rona O’Connor had followedtheir childhood dreams of becoming a rockstar and a veterinarian, respectively, they maynever have met— and leading ladies likeDebra Messing and Blake Lively wouldn’thave the signature locks they’ve becomeknown for. Luke, a Los Angeles native, waspersuaded to join the world of hair whena karate instructor told him about Vidalof 1974. “The Academy didn’t exist backthen, so all training was in-salon, and it wasvery intense,” Luke says. “It was a privilegeto be hired.” Ten years later, Luke met Ronain the parking lot of Santa Monica College,where she was attending beauty school, andthey married in 1987.

and Rona added light and dimension to the
curls Luke had created. When Will & Grace
started, Rona wanted to give Messing a more
unique look, and the star’s signature red hair
was born.

When Rona was looking for her first job,Sassoon and how top hairstylists were exactlylike rock stars. Toronto, Canada-raised Ronathought hairdressing was an impracticalcareer. “It may have had something to do withmy German upbringing, but I viewed doinghair and makeup as ‘just for fun,’” she says.

Luke currently works on set for ABC’s
Better With You, Harry’s Law and My
Dad Says. Other celebrity clients include
Blake Lively (Rona just prepped her new
look for Green Lantern), Julia Louis-Dreyfus,
and several Disney Channel stars.

After a stint in nursing and several office jobs,
Rona finally pursued her passion.

Luke landed a job with Sassoon in MarchLuke gave her some advice. “He told me tomake sure I went to a salon with an assistingprogram so that I wouldn’t stop learning,” shesays. “He also said to work in a salon that wasat the top of its game.” At the time, that wasthe Allen Edwards Salon, and Rona becamean assistant there. During her free time, sheexperimented with color on the scraps of hairshe had cut off clients. “I was always mixinga bit of this and a bit of that to create a color

“It was like painting.”The couple welcomes everydayclients at their salon, Lukaro, which theyopened in Beverly Hills, CA, in 1992. The4,500-square-foot space features an atriumwith tropical plants and trees, a large fountainand lots of windows. “I dreamed of having aplace that represents who I am: someone wholoves nature and doesn’t like the stereotypicalsalon with a lineup of chairs,” Rona says.

Luke eventually made his
way to Hollywood sets—his
first gig was on It’s Garry

Continues Luke, “The clients and staff enjoy
the serenity of the space.”

Shandling’s Show—and heoften referred young starletswith damaged hair to Ronafor corrective coloring. “Ithink people got to know meDespite all their successes, the O’Connorsconsider their greatest collaboration to betheir daughter, Elina (see family photoabove), a beauty school student. “Elina toldme she was going to take the hair businessto another level, and I believe she will,”as someone who couldtake a disaster andturn it into somethingbeautiful,” says Rona,Luke says. “If this industry gives her thegratification I’ve had, I’ll be a proud papa!”What advice do Luke and Rona give Elinaand other aspiring beauty professionals?

Luke recommends focusing on one area.

Shields, whom she gave

CloCkwise, from top left: luke’s clients

“sun flicks” for her roleon Suddenly Susan, where“Specialize in whatever you’re mostpassionate about,” he says. “Don’t be a ‘Jackof all trades and a master of none.’ It’s notabout the money. If you follow your passion,the money will come.” Rona stresses theimportance of improving as an artist. “Havepatience and use your free time to practice,learn and challenge yourself,” she says.